Doing the standard Whitehaven C2C route soon and was wondering on bike/tyre approach. Do I use…

Carbon road bike with cross tyres
Hardtail MTB with slicks
Hardtail MTB with semi slicks (i.e. Conti Travel)

We are doing the standard off road sections but NOT the Old Coach Road.

Any other tips greatfully recieved.

BF

There’s lots of different surface types just in the 10 mile stretch near me, I’d say slicks if it’s dry, semis if it’s wet and CX if you’re going for records. Who else are you riding with and do they have a choice of bikes too?

Carbon road bike with cross tyres

This.

Yep they do, but I think they would follow my lead. Not fussed about records, just want to enjoy myself and have plenty left in the tank for beers in the evening 🙂

How much stuff are you carrying? I found a rigid MTB with semi-slicks fine.

Nowt other than a camelback. My mate arranged it and has opetd for a supported option.

We did that in a day on rigid 29ers with cross tyres like landcruisers.

EDIT: Don’t you dare say hybrids 😉

Did it last year on a road bike with standard (albeit Kevlar reinforced) tyres and did some of the off road parts.

For me you’d want something with road wheels or a 29er on skinnies, on road section far outweigh off road and there’s little gnar if you’re not doing Old Coach Road.